Are we driving the Harleys of the bike world?

[Level300]

Originally Posted by SynergyGreenSS

I think a lot of older people (not old, just older lol) seem to think young people aren’t interested in muscle cars or cars in general, but I disagree. In fact, I’d say it’s the opposite. Young people just enjoy cars in different ways than previous generations. I’m nineteen, and I’ve been around muscle cars my whole life, so when I had the opportunity to buy a car, a SGM camaro was my FIRST choice. There are a lot of young people in the same situation. But I think the difference between older generations and younger ones is that young people are going to these quick meets as opposed to going to car shows that last all day. Pretty much all of my friends drive muscle cars whether they’re mopars, mustangs or Chevys. Young people still love muscle cars, like I said though, I think they just enjoy them in different ways.

That’s good to hear but that maybe a regional or localized thing? In the NE, kids are mostly involved in imports/hot hatches. At the last autoX there were only 2 Camaros. The majority of the cars were imports. I hope that muscle cars are more popular everywhere else. But up and down the east coast, I’m seeing more imports than muscle cars.

[Level300]

Originally Posted by redcoats1976

one of the 20 year old girls at work says i drive a bad ass black mustang.however since its a BVM camaro her powers of observation are suspect.

Lol. She probably like you

[Level300]

Originally Posted by rontammy0

My daughter is 20...and I work with alot of younger people 20 to 25 say. Most don't car about cars. And those that do look at Hondas ...Stis. My daughter loves my car. But her first new car will be a WRX STi she says . And from what I see and hear those small cars are popular with kids because they offer good overall performance. They are affordable..are great on gas while having good power. And kids don't look at owning a performance car with 4drs the way alot of other people do...me included.

Was the WRX her choice or was it somewhat influenced by you (performance aspect) rather than a lower model? But why didn’t she pick a v6 camaro? That’s good on gas isn’t it? I get the 4 doors. It’s nice to have when you’re just starting out.

[pnwdan]

Originally Posted by metrogdor22

The biggest problem, IMO, is affordability. Upfront costs aside, a 6.2L V8 RWD coupe is significantly more to insure than a 2.0L 4-banger AWD sedan. At 23 with a clean record, I pay $300/mo to insure my 2013. A 2005 WRX would probably be less than half that. Then there's the cost of premium while getting 14mpg, parts and labor from a reputable shop vs. a Cobb email tune, etc. If I didn't have a good job, I wouldn't have a Camaro.

Wrong about the insurance part. STIs and Evos are a car that the younger generation gravitate to and because of that they have a stigma of a higher rate of accidents and bad behavior along with them (due to the nature of how these young inexperienced kids drive in them). The rates pull a premium for young drivers. Our Camaros look like a compact sports car on paper to insurance companies so they cost a bit higher than a civic but I would guess a Chevy SS would be cheaper because its a sedan.

Ill tell you my perception of why the younger generation likes these cars over cars like ours. Hollywood. They want to be like Vin Diesel and Paul Walker. They all think they are the next Ken Block. There is definitely a cult following for Japanese cars in general too. I for one would love a RHD Skyline R34.

[redcoats1976]

Originally Posted by Level300

Lol. She probably like you

sweet,but shes 7 years older than my oldest granddaughter...that kind of kills it for me.

[Camaro85]

Originally Posted by Level300

I don’t get it. All my nephews think my car is cool but when asked, they all would like to own cars like Evos and WRXs. Nothing wrong with those cars at all but I feel like no matter how they refresh the muscle car, it isn’t appealing to the younger generation. Is it the case of not liking something because old people like it? By the way, none of these kids can turn a wrench but I guess you can blame that on me.

In the whole scheme of things it doesn’t matter to me because I like what I like but I do try to understand how the muscle car is being perceived by the next generation. I think this post applies to all muscle cars like mustangs and challengers, and all the others I’m forgetting not just Camaros.

EDIT: Now, now everyone be nice. I used Harley as a metaphor to describe a company that has not or did not adjust their products/culture/image enough to appeal to the next generation of Riders or appeal to a wider range of buyers. But I do get and share everyone’s distaste for the Harley brand/image.

The younger generation is too occupied in what's the biggest fart can I can stick on my EVO/WRX to care about Camaros

[rontammy0]

Originally Posted by Level300

Was the WRX her choice or was it somewhat influenced by you (performance aspect) rather than a lower model? But why didn’t she pick a v6 camaro? That’s good on gas isn’t it? I get the 4 doors. It’s nice to have when you’re just starting out.

She love my car....but she likes the Subaru. She played high level boys hockey most of her life. So as the boys talked cars she became interested. A a few had hopped up STIs back when she was of licence age. She likes the style....awd and the performance. And since she would only be able to afford one car she wants rhe most complete package she can get. I like those cars but didn't really influence her. She has a 2010 Acura csx that she likes.

[Rock-It Man]

At the drag strip, Gen5 Camaros are outperformed by smaller lighter imports, many off them turbocharged. So, younger car enthusiasts who have no emotional attachment to muscle cars that reference their 60s and 70s ancestors are gonna buy the imports.

I wish GM would come out with a twin-turbo V6 Camaro or a bigger I4.

[paulsandhu]

I'm not 100% sure. I was 24 (33 now) when I bought my Camaro, and back then even now; many 20 are more inclined to get a BMW or Mercedes.

Personally, I will always prefer domestic muscle vs European.

[rontammy0]

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

At the drag strip, Gen5 Camaros are outperformed by smaller lighter imports, many off them turbocharged. So, younger car enthusiasts who have no emotional attachment to muscle cars that reference their 60s and 70s ancestors are gonna buy the imports.

I wish GM would come out with a twin-turbo V6 Camaro or a bigger I4.

This isn't always the case. I've beat a ton of young guys in small sporty cars. Anything can be fast. I lost to a built 80 z/28 and beat an Audi R8 v8 in the same night.

[fz4k98]

I have both a Harley and a camaro. The similarities are huge.
5th gen camaro pays homage to the late 60s muscle cars while improving reliability, quality etc. With technology. Most people mod them for performance, sound and looks.

The above is true for harley too. I have a 2011 which I have owned since new. Only 1 quality issue, recall on a brake light switch. They are faster, more reliable yet pay homage to their heritage.

[chef-beavis]

Originally Posted by fz4k98

I have both a Harley and a camaro. The similarities are huge.
5th gen camaro pays homage to the late 60s muscle cars while improving reliability, quality etc. With technology. Most people mod them for performance, sound and looks.

The above is true for harley too. I have a 2011 which I have owned since new. Only 1 quality issue, recall on a brake light switch. They are faster, more reliable yet pay homage to their heritage.

I've grown tired of the Harley hate here, or the effort to change it. I like what I like. Ride well without being an ass or a hindrance, and have racked up 50000 miles in all sorts of weather. You can stereotype anything. Anyone that says Harley didn't change their tech has no clue. They changed their tech immensely, without the slightest indication to the untrained eye; to the point of artistry. If a guy does that with a 60's muscle car, you all color him a genius. Rant on. I love my Camaro but my bike would whoop it in the quarter.

[TheInfamouSS]

I know when I was younger I always wanted a muscle car but couldn't afford one. Didn't have the money to be able to get something and have a project and a regular car could only get one. In 07 even 3rd gens went for a decent amount of money. Honda's were cheap to buy, cheap to fix, and cheap to mod. It's what got me started into modding cars and racing. Started off on the streets and ended at the track. First time my friends father took me to race my car at the drag strip I fell in love.

Like any Honda in during the early 2000s, the one day I got caught slipping and not putting my damn wheel boot on my car gets stolen going into a friends house for 20 minutes. Tried a bunch of different cars afterwards and didn't like them. Finally decided to get the car I had always wanted. Liked the 5th gen more than the 6th gen, found me a nice 1LE and I haven't looked back since.

[Nb1081]

Originally Posted by chef-beavis

I've grown tired of the Harley hate here, or the effort to change it. I like what I like. Ride well without being an ass or a hindrance, and have racked up 50000 miles in all sorts of weather. You can stereotype anything. Anyone that says Harley didn't change their tech has no clue. They changed their tech immensely, without the slightest indication to the untrained eye; to the point of artistry. If a guy does that with a 60's muscle car, you all color him a genius. Rant on. I love my Camaro but my bike would whoop it in the quarter.

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